Ever since its launch in 2010, Instagram has emerged as a powerful platform for sharing visual content. Moreover, with Instagram features and benefits, it has become a popular option for building a strong online presence and connecting with people.

Throughout this article, we’ll explore the key instagram features that every user should know. From the basics of creating and sharing content to the more advanced tools designed for businesses and creators, we’ll dive into the essentials.

Keep reading if you are ready to make the most of the best features of Instagram.

Core Instagram Features

Here are some of the key Instagram features everyone should know about in 2024:

1. Feed Posts

At the heart of Instagram content creation lies the feed. This is where users can share their favorite photos and videos with the world. Creating a feed post is a simple process – just select your desired image or video, apply any filters or editing tools to enhance its visual appeal, and add a caption to provide context or express your thoughts.

2. Stories

Instagram Stories have revolutionized the way users share content on the platform. With Stories, you can upload photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours, allowing you to share more spontaneous and authentic moments with your followers.

One of the standout features of Stories is the ability to use stickers and filters to add a unique touch to your content. From location stickers and hashtag stickers to polls and questions, these interactive elements encourage engagement and foster a sense of community among your followers.

3. Direct Messages

Direct Messages (DMs) are a private way to communicate with other users on Instagram. Whether you’re sending a quick message to a friend, starting a group chat for a project, or engaging in a video call with a loved one, DMs offer a convenient and personal way to stay connected.

For group conversations, DMs allow you to create chats with up to 32 participants, making it easy to coordinate with teams, plan events, or simply catch up with a group of friends. Furthermore, with the addition of video and audio calling features, you can take your conversations to the next level and enjoy face-to-face interactions with your contacts.

4. Notifications

Notifications are your gateway to engaging with your followers and responding to their comments, messages, and mentions. By default, Instagram will send you notifications for various types of interactions, such as likes, comments, follows, and direct messages.

However, you can customize your notification preferences to suit your needs. Go to your profile settings and select “Notifications” to access a range of options, including the ability to turn off notifications for specific types of interactions.

5. Hashtags & Tagging

Hashtag search is particularly useful for connecting with communities and discovering niche content. By following relevant hashtags and engaging with the content, you can stay up-to-date with the latest trends and conversations within your areas of interest. Hashtags also make it easier for users to discover your content.

Additionally, tagging other accounts in your posts is a great way to give credit, start a conversation, or collaborate with fellow creators.

6. Reels

Instagram Reels are short-form, entertaining videos that allow users to create and share engaging content. With features like music, effects, and creative tools, Reels offer a fun and dynamic way to express yourself and connect with a wider audience.

One of the key advantages of Reels is their ability to help you discover trending content and gain exposure to new audiences. Using popular audio tracks and relevant hashtags also increases the likelihood of your Reel appearing on the Explore page.

7. Explore Tab

One of the most powerful tools for discovering new content and accounts on Instagram is the Explore tab. This feature uses a sophisticated algorithm to curate a personalized feed based on your interests, interactions, and browsing history.

As you engage with content by liking, commenting, or saving posts, the Explore tab will become increasingly tailored to your tastes, ensuring that you always have a fresh and engaging selection of content at your fingertips. It is a great opportunity to increase your followers organically.

Simply tap on the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the app to access a diverse array of photos, videos, and Reels. All of these are likely to align with your preferences.

8. IGTV and Lives

IGTV is Instagram’s platform for longer-form video content. Think of it as your TV channel. With IGTV, creators can upload videos up to an hour long, fostering deeper connections with their audience through in-depth tutorials, storytelling, and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

Instagram Live, on the other hand, offers real-time interaction with your followers. It’s perfect for Q&A sessions, product launches, live performances, and spontaneous connections.

Both IGTV and Instagram Live offer unique opportunities to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Combining these features lets you create a diverse content strategy that caters to different audience preferences.

9. Account Privacy and Security

Instagram offers several tools to help you control who can see your content and interact with you. These include the following options:

Private account

Switching to a private account lets you choose who can see your posts and send you messages. This is particularly useful if you want to limit your audience to only your approved followers. It also helps if you’re concerned about unwanted attention from strangers.

Blocking

Are you experiencing harassment, spam, or unwanted interactions from a specific account? No worries! You can easily block or restrict them to prevent them from seeing your content or contacting you in the future.

Two-factor authentication

Enabling two-factor authentication is a crucial step in securing your Instagram account. This feature adds an extra layer of security by requiring a verification code, whenever you log in from a new device.

10. Turn-Off Commenting

If you’re concerned about receiving unwanted or inappropriate comments on your posts, you can simply disable comments on a post. To do this, tap on the three-dot menu in the top right corner of your post and select “Turn Off Commenting.” This prevents others from leaving comments on that particular post.

11. Like, Comment, Save, and Share

As you scroll through your Instagram feed, you’re bound to come across posts that pique your interest or inspire you in some way. These four actions form the foundation of social media engagement. They help to build relationships, discover new content, and support the creators you love in the following ways:

• Like – This simple action is the most basic form of engagement on social media. It’s a quick way to show appreciation for a post and let the creator know you enjoyed it.
• Comment – Going beyond a simple like, commenting allows you to engage in conversation with the content creator and other users. It shows interest and fosters community.
• Save – This feature allows you to bookmark posts for later reference or to create collections of content. It’s a way to curate your favorite posts and revisit them at your convenience.
• Share – Sharing content amplifies its reach and introduces it to your network. It’s a powerful way to support creators and spread content you find valuable.

12. Photo Editor

Instagram offers a robust photo editing suite directly within the app, allowing users to quickly enhance their images before sharing. You can even edit and save the pictures without posting them if you wish.

The built-in editor offers a range of basic tools such as the following:

• Basic Adjustments: Control brightness, contrast, saturation, and warmth.
• Filters: Apply a variety of filters to achieve different moods and aesthetics.
• Crop and Rotate: Adjust the image size and orientation.
• Focus: Adjust the focus point of the image.
• Straighten: Correct tilted photos.
• Tilt Shift: Create a miniature effect by blurring the background.
• Text and Stickers: Add text, emojis, and other graphics to the image.

Instagram Story Features

13. Close Friends

Sometimes, you may want to share more personal or exclusive content with a select group of your closest followers. This is where the Close Friends feature comes in handy.

Creating a Close Friends list enables you to share Stories that are only visible to the people you’ve chosen. This ensures that your most intimate moments are shared with those who matter most.

This feature is particularly useful for sharing behind-the-scenes moments, personal updates, or content that you don’t feel comfortable sharing with your entire follower base.

14. Instagram Filters

Filters on Instagram are a great way to add a unique and interactive element to your Stories and Reels. Creating and using augmented reality effects in Stories and Reels not only enhances your content but also boosts engagement.

It is an excellent feature that lets you showcase your creativity, engage your audience, and create content that is both visually appealing and memorable.

To use Filters, simply open the camera in Stories or Reels and tap on the effects icon. You can then browse through a selection of Instagram filters created by Instagram or other users, and select the one you want to use.

15. AI-Stickers and Polls

Instagram’s AI Stickers are a creative and interactive feature that allows users to generate diverse sticker options based on text prompts. This innovative tool leverages artificial intelligence to create unique content that encourages user interaction and sharing.

Here are the Sticker options you can use to gather valuable insights and spark conversations:

• GIF Stickers: Add interactive elements to Stories.
• Poll Stickers: Engage with followers through polls.
• Question Stickers: Ask questions to followers.
• Quiz Stickers: Create interactive quizzes.
• Countdown Stickers: Build anticipation for events.
• Donation Stickers: Support causes through Stories.
• Layout: Combine multiple photos into one post.

16. Instagram Music Library

Instagram’s Music Library offers a vast collection of songs for users to enhance their Stories and Reels. With features like searching by genre, mood, or artist, users can easily find the perfect soundtrack for their content.

By incorporating trending music into your Instagram content, you can create a more immersive and and engaging experience for your audience.

Instagram New Features

17. Reel Covers

Gone are the days when you couldn’t keep up with your Instagram feed aesthetics when posting a Reel. Now,when sharing videos on Instagram, you have the option to choose a cover frame. This is the image that will be displayed as a preview of your video before it starts playing.

Having a compelling cover frame from your video or camera roll can increase the likelihood of users clicking on the image. This eventually leads to count as a Reel view and improves engagement.

18. Instagram Scheduling

The Instagram scheduling feature allows users to plan out and schedule their posts in advance. Not only has this made consistent content creation more convenient, but also helps in saving time and effort.

Earlier, you could only schedule Instagram posts using third-party apps like SocialBu. However, Instagram has recently introduced the option for users to directly schedule multiple posts within the app itself.

19. Broadcast Channel

The ability to create a broadcast channel is among the most popular Instagram features for creators. This feature lets creators send text, photos, videos, and voice notes directly to their subscribers, fostering a sense of community and exclusivity.

Instagram Broadcast Channels offer a one-to-many messaging experience, allowing creators to share updates, and behind-the-scenes content, and engage with their followers in a more intimate setting.

20. Instagram Notes

Instagram Notes are short, brief text updates you can share with your followers or close friends. Think of them as quick and casual messages, similar to a status update on other platforms.

Unlike Stories, Notes don’t disappear after 24 hours; they stay at the top of your inbox until you manually delete them. Instagram Notes lets you share your thoughts, ask questions, or simply connect with your audience more casually and spontaneously.

21. Pinned Posts

Instagram’s pinned posts allow you to showcase your most important or relevant content at the top of your profile. By pinning up to three posts or Reels, you can curate a dedicated space to highlight specific campaigns, products, or announcements.

Moreover, pinning a post or comment ensures that your desired content is seen first by visitors to your profile, increasing its visibility and impact.

Instagram Features for Business

For businesses looking to take their Instagram presence to the next level, switching to an Instagram Business account offers a range of powerful tools and features.

22. Location Search

Location search is perfect for discovering local events, businesses, and attractions. Furthermore, by searching for your city or neighborhood, you can access a curated feed of posts from nearby locations.

This feature is especially useful when traveling, as it allows you to explore a new destination through the eyes of its residents and visitors. Besides, you can tag your location in your posts as well. This helps in improving your content’s discovery in that particular location.

23. Insights

One of the key benefits of an Instagram Business account is access to Instagram Insights. It is a comprehensive analytics tool that provides data on your account’s performance, audience demographics, and content engagement.

Moreover, In addition to tracking your account’s overall performance, Instagram Insights also provides data on individual posts, Stories, and Reels. Hence, by analyzing the engagement rate, reach, and impressions of each piece of content, you can identify what’s working well and what needs improvement.

This way, you may optimize your posting schedule, refine your content strategy, and create more successful posts in the future.

24. Promotions

Instagram Business accounts also offer the ability to create Promotions, which allow you to boost your best-performing posts and reach a wider audience beyond your existing followers.

Besides, leveraging the Promotions feature allows you to target specific demographics, interests, and locations. This way, you can ensure that your content reaches the right people at the right time.

25. Instagram Shopping

Instagram Shopping is a powerful e-commerce feature that enables businesses and creators to showcase their products, drive sales, and provide a seamless shopping experience for their followers.

By setting up an Instagram Shop, you can tag products in your posts and Stories, providing detailed descriptions, pricing information, and even allowing customers to purchase directly within the app.

Instagram Creator Accounts

26. Badges

Instagram Badges offer a monetization opportunity for creators, allowing viewers to show support through in-app purchases. It is a feature that allows your followers to support you financially by purchasing badges during your live streams.

Moreover, by purchasing badges, viewers gain special perks like highlighted comments and exclusive content. This feature fosters a deeper connection between creators and their audience while providing a new revenue stream.

27. Instagram Highlights

Highlights allow you to group your Stories into collections that remain visible on your profile indefinitely, giving your followers a glimpse into your most memorable moments, valuable content, and personal brand. Once created, they appear as a circular icon on your profile, and tapping on it will reveal the Stories you’ve included.

Nevertheless, organizing your Stories into themed collections can make it easier for your audience to find and engage with the content that matters most to them.

28. Instagram Guides

Instagram Guides are a powerful tool for curating and sharing collections of posts, products, and locations with your followers. Guides allow you to create themed collections that showcase your expertise, share valuable information, or highlight your favorite products and places.

Additionally, curating collections of high-quality content can help to establish yourself as an authority in your niche and provide value to your followers.

29. Instagram Collabs

Instagram Collabs allow you to co-author posts and Reels with other accounts, expanding your reach and engagement. With Collabs, you can invite another account to collaborate on a post or Reel, and both of your profiles will be tagged in the content.

This Instagram feature is a great way to collaborate with other creators, brands, or influencers in your niche. By co-creating content with other accounts, you can increase your visibility, drive more engagement, and build valuable partnerships and relationships. Thus, it is an effortless method to tap into new audiences and communities.

Conclusion

To sum up, Instagram offers some incredible features to both business and creator accounts looking to maximize their presence on the platform. They are so much better than the Whatsapp features for business owners.

Mastering these new Instagram features and creating compelling content is the key to success here. It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to connect with friends, grow your business, or simply express your creativity.

From essential tools like feed posts, Stories, Reels, and direct messages to advanced features and new Instagram Story features, the platform has it all.

Drop your favorite Instagram features in the comments below.

FAQS

What are the main features of Instagram?

The main features of Instagram include sharing photos and videos, using hashtags to discover content, following accounts, posting Stories that disappear after 24 hours, sending direct messages, going live, and creating Reels which are short entertaining videos.

What is unique about Instagram?

Instagram is unique in its focus on visual content, allowing users to share photos and videos with filters and editing tools. It also has features like Stories, Reels, and the Explore tab that help users discover new content and accounts based on their interests.

What is Instagram mostly used for?

Instagram is mostly used for sharing personal moments, connecting with friends and family, following interests and hobbies, discovering new content, and building a personal brand or business presence through visual storytelling.

What is the main point of Instagram?

The main point of Instagram is to provide a platform for users to visually express themselves, engage with a community around shared interests, and discover new content and accounts that align with their passions.

What are the benefits of Instagram?

Some key benefits of using Instagram include staying connected with friends and family, exploring new interests and hobbies, building a personal brand or business presence, accessing exclusive content from favorite creators, and having fun with creative photo and video editing tools.

Can you download Instagram features?

Unfortunately, you cannot download Instagram features as standalone applications or files. Instagram features 2024 are integrated into the app itself and are not available for separate downloading.